<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000353230 <NAME> OMNICARE INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 302,996 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 94,732 <ALLOWANCES> 5,368 <INVENTORY> 36,617 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 443,785 <PP&E> 63,412 <DEPRECIATION> 22,751 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 663,669 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 49,143 <BONDS> 78,071 <COMMON> 65,595 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 458,158 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 523,753 <SALES> 239,018 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 239,018 <CGS> 170,291 <TOTAL-COSTS> 170,291 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 40,072 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,009 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,535 <INCOME-PRETAX> 30,698 <INCOME-TAX> 12,173 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,525 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,525 <EPS-PRIMARY> .30 <EPS-DILUTED> .28